I'm tired of the messy undependable glow engines. There is so many gas engines out there, i don't know where to start. I am going to buy a 26cc gas engine and want something dependable and repairable. Where do is start? Its got to be good and modist priced (maby). I know everyone has different thoughts and i would like to hear some. I'm not a hot rod pilot and will be putting it on a 140 size SWORD pattern plane with a total wt. of about 11 lbs.

The best is the Zenoah G-26. But is more money and heavier than a lot of the Chinese 26cc stuff. Lightest is most likely the SPE 26 but its down on power to some of the others.

Thanks tgk, thats a very good start. I've been looking at them. What accesories will be needed with it. Does it mount easy and what spinner is needed.

For an 11lb pattern plane, you will want power. More power than the SPE has to offer, but it is the lightest.

Best quality is likely the G-26. Best power is a toss up between the G-26 and the Evolution 26GT. The Brillelli 26 is also an excellent engine, slightly down on power to the G-26 (from reports I have seen) but not by much and cheaper.

If you want repairable, the G-26 or the Brillelli have to be the favorites as service is in the US and very highly regarded. I can vouch for Ralph Cunningham (G-26), he is extremely knowledgable and his work is top notch. Scott at Brillelli has an enviable rep too, but I have not dealt with him beyond some questions through email.

My choices would be G-26, Brillelli, Evolution in that order. None are as cheap as the Chinese engines, but all run strong and last.


Mark

Brillelli 26 will run neck and neck with a G-26 any day.

You def. dont want to cheap out on a 26 for that plane.. will need all the power you can get to be a happy flyer with a gas engine.

If the Brillelli will match the G-26, then I would pick it first, G-26 second based on price.

I agree on power, 11lb (before gas, too, it will go up with a gasser up front) is heavy for good aerobatics performance on a 26cc. A tuned pipe would also be a good investment for this model.

Mark

You may concider a converted ST-2300
I know the converted ST-90 is a real hit.

I have a standard ST-2300 in a 90 size groovy and still had to add nose weight.

How much weight up front do you need to balance the plane, including engine and mount?

I like to fit the biggest engine I can get by with with out adding weight.

Come up with a weight and we'll see what engine will best suit your needs.

Believe me there are plenty of ideas on this forum.

For just 5 more ounces Brillelli has a 36cc engine.

http://www.scottellingson.com/brillelli_engines_002.htm

I have a Toro 25 that I sent to Scott.
It is a real winner 18x6 at 8000 rpm.

I have it in a Great Planes Tiger Moth.
It doesn't really need a run way.

I have a brillelli 26cc SS engine in my 10lb 7 oz Jerry's Big Boy (84 inch WS) and with a 18x6 it has (for all practical purposes,) unlimited vertical and very smooth idle and transitions. The new Brillelli 26ssr is supposed to be even stronger. I have a G-26 modified by Cunningham in a Kange Monocoupe and power is very good, maybe ( maybe) stronger than the Brillelli It is heavier. I like the sound ofthe G-26 better but I plan on sticking with Brillelli Engines as long as they offer sizes I need. Their service and support is UNBEATABLE. I had the 26cc for over a year without taking it out of the box. When I started to use it... it would not draw fuel. Scott@ Brillelli sent me areplacement carb at no charge, not even postage. And the motor had been out of warranty for months. BTW ,Cunningham was great too.
Mike

I have the Brillelli 36GT and I am turning an APC 18 X 6W @ 8,500rpm's and it is still getting better and better, I also have a CRRC Pro GF26I that I turn the same APC 18 X 6W @ 8,050 and turning a APC 17 X 6 @ 9,350 rpm, and the CRRC 26cc was @ the door for under $200.00 with a pitts muffler.

I have the Brillelli 26SSR, it will hover my 11.5 lb yak with marginal pull-out. I am running an APC 17X8 turning 9200 rpm. It will easily yank your 140 pattern plane around, especially if you are only flying IMAC style maneuvers.
Scott is a great person to deal with. If you go that route I would call him before you order to get an estimate on how long it will take to ship, he gets a little backed up from time to time.

2robinhood, where did you buy the crrc pro for less than $200?

2robinhood, where did you buy the crrc pro for less than $200?

I got mine from this guy on E-bay.
This one just ended for $150.00 + $25.00 shipping
$175.00 @ the door.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=016

Here is his website also:
http://www.prcmodel.com/index.php

I know everyones going to hate this but the SV-26 from H.C. I got along with some other people in my review forum love it. the customer service lacks....any service. But you can get the parts if you need them and the engine for $193 to my door is way more than I expected.

Ralph Cunningham offers a very similar engine to the Brillelli 26SS with an RCexl ignition for the princely sum of $275.00

Karol

If you are new to gas engines I would go with the Brillelli line of engines. Scott has the best customer service you will find. If you have any questions or problems Scott will stay with you and get it working right. I should know I have 3 Brillelli engines and the reason is the support Scott gives his customer's. You would like both the Brillelli 26cc & 36cc engines. My Brillelli 36GT hovers my 12lb Giles-202 using a Bambula 18x10 prop and the plane has unlimited vertical. Get a Brillelli you'll be gald you did.

I have a SV-26 and it is an OK engine if you know gas engines. I would still rather have the Brillelli 26 anyday.

For the most dependable and assurances that they will remain that way you have two choices, three if you add the seller with aftermarket modifications. Brillelli and Zenoah. Ralph Cunningham/RC Ignitions does some neat little modifications that make the Zenoah even better while including a lifetime warranty on the ignition.

Others can say they are as dependable and have the power but none have the track record of Zenoah. No ifs, ands, or buts, and zero room for arguement. Both engines have excellent service availability. Brillelli through Brillelli, and Zenoah through Horizon and Ralph Cunningham. If you stuff a Zenoah nobody does repairs more reasonable than Cunningham. So you can buy cheaper but not better.

If it has to be 26cc engine then go for Evolution/MVVS 26 with tuned pipe. ZDZ F3A 40RE will give you the extra punch if needed. Also consider glow is weight is an issue. YS 170 will give you that needed reliability and power.

I have MVVS 26 with pipe on Epsilon 160 F3A pattern plane. It's little over weight limit, but getting lighter in this summer Just forgot Zenoah, china engines and sidecarb engines.

What size fuel tank would be good for a 26cc gasser? 12 or 16oz Generally same H & W, 16 just 1/2" longer. What would be appx. run times on these tanks.

Thanks, Rich

I use a 14oz hanger 9 tank on my 26cc and I get 15 min flights and still have more than a 1/4 tank of fuel left.

I have a 17oz tank and do 15 minute flights.
I still have over half a tank left, and I do a lot of wide open flying.
I would say my CRRC 26cc burns about 6 oz in the 15 minute flights.
I would say a 10-12 would be plenty.
15 minute flights are long enough for me, need a break when the whole flight is only 15 feet off the ground.

Im Flying a SV GRpro LSPro Jen 26cc top little engine, light, rear carb and no real big issues and for the price !

I am in the same situation as rcslim. Going to get my first gas (26cc) engine in about two months, so I have been reading the various threads on here looking for info. Was pretty sure I was going to get a BCMA (thats one long thread to read! http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3967906/tm.htm ) engine, mostly because the BCMA is a little lighter weight, and it seems Adam? has good customer service. Now, after reading (probably too much!), I am a little undecided. Like rcslim, I would like dependable and repairable, but also an engine that has a good track record of running good right out of the box. I understand how small engines work, but I really don't want to have to become a engine "expert" right now. I keep reading about different carbs and different ignitions and what not. Please don't flame anybody here, but is there any draw backs to getting the "Chinese" engines? I don't mind spending the extra dollars, actually I would prefer to spend the money if I am getting a better product. And thanks rcslim for starting this thread. Hope you get the answers you are looking for. My son and I are probably going to do several 60 size planes in the next few years, and I would like to keep the same brand gas engine in all of them.
Thanks for the help and information.

I few years ago I was just like you in looking for that first gas engine. I was very lucky in that I found scott at Brillelli engines. He and Adam at BCMA engine are good friends. Stay with BCMA or Brillelli for you first gas engine than when you fell you are very comfortable with the gas engine give the chinese engine a try. I have the SV-26 and it is a good little engine, but I did have to do some work on it to get it to run right. if you want customer support and parts for your engines stay with BCMA or Brillelli and you won't be sorry. The engine by BCMA and Brillelli are better engines than the chinese SV-26 anyway. I have both